Joseph (father of Jesus)

Saint Joseph
St Joseph with the Infant Jesus by Guido Reni
Foster-father of the Lord; the Betrothed
Born	Unknown date B.C.E
Died	Prior to the Passion (traditional) in Nazareth (traditional)
Feast	March 19 (Catholicism); Sunday after the Christmas (Eastern Orthodoxy)
Attributes	Carpenter's square or tools, the infant Jesus, staff with blossoms.
Patronage	The Universal Church, workers, against doubt and hesitation and of a happy death. Many others; see [5]

Joseph "of the House of David" (also Saint Joseph, Joseph the Betrothed, Joseph of Nazareth, and Joseph the Worker) was, according to Christian Gospel accounts and tradition, the husband of Mary and the legal father of Jesus of Nazareth, although Christian faith tradition holds that Joseph did not physically beget Jesus, but that Mary had conceived him through divine means (see Virgin Birth). Little else is known of Joseph except that he was apparently a skilled craftsman (often held to have been a carpenter) and for many years lived in the town of Nazareth. Joseph's death is not recorded; he is thought to have still been alive when Jesus was around 12 years old, due to scriptural mention, but the lack of any mention of him in the Biblical accounts of Jesus' adult ministry (some 18 years later) is often taken to imply that he had died before then.

A notable fact about Joseph is that not one single word spoken by him is quoted anywhere in any of the Four Gospels.

In the Roman Catholic and other traditions, he is the patron saint of workers and has several feast days (see Saint Joseph's Day). Saint Joseph was also declared to be the patron saint and protector of the universal Catholic Church (along with Saint Peter) by Pope Pius IX in 1870, and is the patron of several countries and regions.

Gospel accounts

Joseph takes an active role only the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke. He is not mentioned in [[Gospel of Mark|Mark[[, and in John his name is mentioned only as the surname of Jesus, as in "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?" (John 6:42)

Joseph in Matthew

Joseph leads his family to safety in Egypt to escape from Herod, mentioned in Matthew, but not by Luke.

Matthew begins (Matthew 1:1-16) with a genealogy beginning with Abraham and then tracing Jesus' lineage through King David down through the generation until Joseph. The genealogy is paradoxical in that it proves Jesus' Davidic lineage through Jesus, and yet Matthew claims that Joseph was not actually Jesus' father. It goes on to explain that Joseph's betrothed wife, Mary, was found to be pregnant before Joseph had intercourse with her. A righteous man, he did not wish to expose her to public disgrace or punishment, but did intend to divorce her. An angel appeared to him, however, and instructed Joseph to take Mary as his wife, because the child in her womb as conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph complied and married her, but had not sexual relations with her until after she gave birth. In accordance with the angel's instruction, he gave the child the name Yeshua (Jesus), meaning "the Lord saves."

Matthew does not relate how Jesus came to be born in Bethlehem, nor does it mention Nazareth as Joseph and Mary's previous dwelling place. After Jesus' birth, magi from the east come to pay homage to him. The present gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh, but do not tarry, fearing the wrath of the ruthless King Herod, who sees a threat to his throne in any rumored Messiah. An angel appears to Joseph in another dream and commands him to take his wife and child to Egypt, where they are to remain until Herod's death. When this occurs, Joseph returns to the land of Israel. He apparently intends to return to Bethlehem, but hearing that Herod's son Archelaus was reigns in Judea in place of his father, he "withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth." Joseph plays no further role in Matthew's account of Jesus' life.

Joseph in Luke

Joseph prays while Jesus is circumcised.

The Gospel of Luke gives additional details of Joseph's life and relation to Jesus, some of which do not entire square with Matthew's version. Luke describes Joseph as living in Nazareth at the time of Jesus' conception. He apparently discovers the fact after Mary returns to Nazareth from a visit to her cousin Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah, at whose house she has stayed for several months. No account is given of his agony over finding his virgin bride-to-be pregnant, but an explanation is provided as to how Jesus' birth came to happen at Bethlehem: Joseph goes there do comply with an Imperial census order of Caesar Augustus, for Bethlehem, the city of David, is his clan's place of origin. There, Jesus is born in an animal manger, since there is no room at the inn. The baby is honored by shepherds and angels, but no wise men. No magi appear, nor does the figure of Herod figure loom. Instead the shepherds joyously spread the news of the miraculous birth. Jesus is circumcised on the eighth day and publicly presented in the Temple of Jerusalem. The prophets Simeon and Anna testify to him, and Joseph and Mary are amazed at their words. Joseph then takes his family home to Nazareth, with no mention of a flight to Egypt.

Luke mentions Joseph in one additional story, when the family visits Jerusalem on their yearly pilgrimage at Passover time. After the feast, Joseph and Mary leave town without Jesus, thinking him to be in another part of their caravan. Three days later, realizing he is missing, they return and discover him in the Temple courtyard, where he has made a great impression on the teachers there. Mary scolds him, and Jesus responds that the couple should have realized he would be about "my father's business," obviously not referring to Joseph. The family returns to Nazareth and "his mother treasured all these things in her heart." Joseph is not mentioned again.

Non-Gospel accounts and anecdotes

Several Nativity icons show Joseph tempted by the Devil to break off his betrothal and describe how he resists that temptation. Other images depict his staff as topped with flowers, possibly based on the non-canonical account in the Protevangelion of James of how Mary's spouse was chosen. That same account speaks eloquently of Joseph's agony upon discovering Mary's pregnancy: "He struck his face and threw himself on the ground in sackcloth and wept bitterly... 'Who has set this trap for me?... Who stole the virgin from me and defiled her? Has not the story of Adam been repeated with me? For while Adam was glorifying God, the serpent came and found Eve alone and deceived her and defiled her—so it has also happened to me."

In Catholic tradition, Jesus is described as working side by side with Joseph in Joseph's carpenter shop at Nazareth. Joseph is much praised for responding the angel's message and protecting Mary when some of those in Nazareth would have stoned her as an adulteress.

Joseph (right) and his family

Questions arise as to the canonical Gospel accounts of Jesus having brothers and sisters—James, Joses, Judah, Simon, and unnamed sisters in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3). A tradition still current in Eastern Orthodoxy explains that Joseph was a widower and that these brothers and sisters were from his first marriage, thus making them Jesus' step-brothers and step-sisters. Catholic traditions leans toward these "brothers" being more distant kinsmen, and insists that Joseph never had sexual relations with Mary, who remained a perpetual virgin. This version of events is related in the apocryphal History of Joseph the Carpenter, which names the eldest brother Justus and the sisters Assia and Lydia, but does not name their mother . Orthodox sources retain the Biblical name of the eldest son and names Joseph's first wife as Salome, his sisters being another Salome and Esther along with an unnamed third sister. Many Protestant denominations—including many Evangelical or Fundamental Protestant traditions)—no longer espouse strong views on the subject.

Sainthood

Joseph and Jesus

Although always regarded as a saint in both Catholic and Orthodox traditions, Joseph was little celebrated on his own account in the West until the later Middle Ages, following the adoption of his feast by the Franciscans in 1399, and later by the Dominicans. The feast was only added to the Roman Breviary in 1479, and was not compulsory for the whole Catholic Church until 1621.

In Catholicism Pope Pius IX proclaimed him the patron of the Universal Church on December 8, 1870. He is the unofficial patron against doubt and hesitation, as well as the patron saint of fighting communism, and of a happy death. Having died in the "arms of Jesus and Mary," he is considered the model of a pious believer who receives grace at the moment of death.

In addition to his primary feast day in the Catholic and other traditions, St. Joseph is honored by the Feast of St. Joseph the Workman (May 1), introduced by Pope Pius XII in 1955 to counteract May Day, as a social and communist holiday. This also reflects St. Joseph's status as what many Catholics and other Christians consider the "patron of workers."

Joseph is also the patron saint of the New World; of the countries China, Canada, Korea, Mexico, Austria, Belgium, Bohemia, Croatia, Peru, and Vietnam; of the regions Carinthia, Styria, Tyrol, and Sicily; of the cities and/or dioceses of Florence, Turin, Baton Rouge, Bemidji, Buffalo, Cheyenne, Haugesund in Norway, Louisville, Nashville, San Jose, Sioux Falls, etc.

Roman Catholics also believe the Joseph prays especially for families, fathers, expectant mothers (pregnant women), travellers, immigrants, house sellers and buyers, craftsmen, engineers and working people in general.

Feast day and role in Christian churches

An iconic image of St. Joseph – a carpenter square is a symbol of his trade, and lilies symbolize chastity.

The principal feast day of Saint Joseph is March 19, Saint Joseph's Day in the Roman Catholic tradition. Another feast day is May 1, Feast of St. Joseph the Workman, introduced by Pope Pius XII in 1955. The veneration of Saint Joseph, when compared with that of other biblical saints, was introduced rather late in the Catholic Church. Pope Pius IX declared him patron of the universal Church; and Pope John XXIII added his name to the Mass canon. Some groups of Traditional Catholics reject this addition, but most use the 1962 missal, which includes this change.

In the Lutheran Church, March 19 is also observed as the Feast of St. Joseph, Guardian of Jesus. This festival is on the official calendar of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the Wisconsin Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Some Protestant traditions also celebrate this festival as a commemoration of Joseph's life and witness.

In the nineteenth century, the Josephite Fathers of the Roman Catholic Church were created under the patronage of Joseph, intending to work with the poor. The first Josephites in America re-devoted their part of the Order to ministry within the newly-emancipated African American community.

In Orthodox tradition, St Joseph is commemorated on the Sunday after the Nativity. If there is no Sunday between December 25 and January 1, his feast is moved to December 26, along that of King David and James the Just. Joseph is also commemorated on the Sunday of the Forefathers.

Places dedicated to Joseph

The Spanish form, San Jose, is the most common place name in the world. Two of the most-recognized San Joses are San José, Costa Rica and San Jose, California, given their name by Spanish colonists. The latter is the subject of the famous song Do You Know the Way to San José.

Many cities, towns, and geographical features are named after Joseph. At least 6 places named St. Joseph exist in France and its overseas possessions, and at least 14 towns, counties, or townships in the United States. Numerous bays, rivers, peninsulas, and other features are named after Joseph in North America.

St. Joseph, Trinidad and Tobago is the oldest town in Trinidad and Tobago. Originally named San José de Oruña, it served as the capital of Spanish Trinidad between 1592 and 1783.

Churches

Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph in San Jose, California

Hundreds if not thousands of churches are dedicated to Saint Joseph. Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph is located in San Jose, California and is the episcopal headquarters of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose. The Basilica of Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral is a prominent Roman Catholic church in Bardstown, Kentucky; it was the first Roman Catholic Cathedral west of the Allegheny Mountains and the cathedral mother church of the former Roman Catholic Diocese of Bardstown.

Saint Joseph's Oratory is a Roman Catholic oratory and basilica in Montreal, Canada. Constructed at the wishes of Brother André Besette (Congregation of Holy Cross)—a blessed in the Catholic canon—it is dedicated to St. Joseph who is believed to have performed many miracles of healing in Montreal. The Oratory is the largest church in Canada, with the largest dome of its kind in the world after that of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. (Some churches named after St. Joseph are actually dedicated to a different saint, Saint Joseph of Cupertino.)

Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Muenster, Texas is dedicated to St. Joseph after its first two churches were destroyed by tornadoes on St. Joseph's feast day. Since the parishioners have attended mass on his feast day the recent church has not been destroyed.

St. Joseph Church at Umerkhadi in Mumbai, India completed 75 years on January 24, 2007.

Many other churches, schools, universities, hosptials, and monasteries are dedicated to Saint Joseph in Lebanon, such as Lycée Saint-Joseph in Ain Ebel, Université Saint-Joseph in Beirut, the Hôpital Saint Joseph des Soeurs de la Croix in Dora and Church of Saint Joseph in Aitou.

Many schools and churches are now representing the name of Saint Joseph.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Holy Apostles Convent, The Life of the Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, Buena Vista, Holy Apostles Convent and Dormition Skete, 1989. ISBN 0-944359-03-5
• Kleba, Gerald Joseph. "Joseph Remembered: The Father of Jesus", Summit Publishing Group, 2000. ISBN 978-1565303072
• Suarez, Federico. "Joseph of Nazareth", Scepter Publishers, 2004. ISBN 978-1594170201
• Thorn, Aramis. "The Foster Father of God", Infinity Publishing, 2004. ISBN 978-0741422316
• Trade Vintage Art Giclee Poster Print. "Saint Joseph, Putative or Nominal Father of Jesus of Nazareth, Husband of Mary, Woodworker", AllPosters.com. ASIN B000LN1B8E

External links

• Patron Saints Index: Saint Joseph. www.catholic-forum.com. Retrieved August 18, 2007.
• Catholic Online Saints: St. Joseph. www.catholic.org. Retrieved August 18, 2007.
• Bernard Orchard, The Betrothal and Marriage of Mary to Joseph, Part 1;. www.catholic.net. Retrieved August 18, 2007. Part 2. Retrieved August 18, 2007.
• Bernard Orchard, Summary of The Betrothal and Marriage of Mary to Joseph and chronological chart. Retrieved uk.geocities.com. August 18, 2007.
• Skeptics Annotated Bible: a comparison of verses related to Jesus' father. www.skepticsannotatedbible.com. Retrieved August 18, 2007.
• BeliefNet article on the various views on Joseph's role. www.beliefnet.com. Retrieved August 18, 2007.
• Josephite Fathers in the US. www.josephite.com. Retrieved August 18, 2007.
• Saint Joseph at the Notable Names Database. www.nndb.com. Retrieved August 18, 2007.
• Eastern Orthodox Tradition: The Righteous Elder Joseph The Betrothed, And His Repose. www.serfes.org. Retrieved August 18, 2007.
• Novena to St. Joseph (EWTN). www.ewtn.com. Retrieved August 18, 2007.

Preceded by: Heli

Ancestry of Jesus - Father of Jesus

Succeeded by: Jesus

Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

• Joseph (father of Jesus)  ^history

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

• History of "Joseph (father of Jesus)"

Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.